South Dakota is the latest in a growing number of states giving direct access to nurse practitioners as momentum builds behind legislation to eliminate hurdles for patients who need primary care. South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard, a Republican, signed into law legislation that allows nurse practitioners to practice independently, no longer requiring supervision by a physician. But policymakers are finding nurse practitioners needed to increase access amid a shortage of doctors and other healthcare workers, particularly in rural areas. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) said other states considering full practice authority for NPs include Arkansas, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania .

Source: Forbes February 24, 2017 13:01 UTC